WILLIAM GEORGE ISAAC BIRD

Born: 12th November 1885, at 9, Potter Street, St. Clement’s, Ipswich.

Baptised on the 1^st September 1889, at St. Helen’s Church, Ipswich, with sister Ellen Charlotte Mary Bird – family home at 17, Hill Street, Ipswich.

Died: 31st July 1915; 29; died of wounds – Gun Shot Wound to the leg, at No. 5 General Hospital, Rouen. Served 10 years & 258 days.

28th July 1917 – Gunshot Wound to the leg. A report was sent from the General Hospital, Rouen, reporting that W. G. Bird, 8127, was dangerously ill, and relatives should be informed – arrived at York 29th July 1915. Next of Kin sisters: Miss Lizzie Bird, of 30, Albion Place, Ipswich and Mrs. Ellen Brooks, of 2, White Elm Gardens, Bishops Hill, Ipswich.

Occupation: with the Ipswich Corporation.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich; date: 16th November 1904; age: 18 years & 11 months; religion: CofE. Height: 5ft & 7 1/2ins – after 6 months 5ft & 8 1/2ins, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair.

Joined at Pontefract – 19th November 1904.

Discharged: 11th October 1913.

Date of Entry Therein: 21st September 1914.

Offences:

3rd March 1915 – France – Having a dirty rifle on inspection – 3 days F.P. No. 2 (Field Punishment No. 1 consisted of the convicted man being shackled in irons but not fixed to anything).

1st April 1915 – France – On active service when acting as a Sentinel – Sleeping on his Post. – 1 year H.L. Sentence commuted to 3 months F.P. No. 1 (Field Punishment No 1 consisted of the convicted man being shackled in irons and secured to a fixed object, often a gun wheel or similar).

Rank: Private; Service Number: 8127

Regiment: York & Lancaster Regiment, 2nd Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star + Clasp.

Grave details sent to the relatives – 9th September 1915.

Grave Reference:
A.4.27.
St. Sever Cemetery,
Rouen,
France.

CENSUS

1891   17, Hill Street, St. Helen’s, Ipswich.

William was 5 years old and living with his parents & sisters.

William Fox Bird, 34, a Blacksmith, born Ipswich.

Louisa Jane Bird (nee Forsdyke), 35, born Ipswich.

Lizzie Emma Sarah Bird, 8, born Ipswich.

Ellen Charlotte M. Bird, 7, born Ipswich.

1911   India

William was 25 years old, a Soldier ranked Private in the 1st Battalion of the York & Lancaster Regiment.

William’s mother, Louisa Jane Bird, died on the 31^st May 1891, at her home, 17, Hill Street, Ipswich. The funeral service was on the 3^rd June at St. Helen’s Church, Ipswich, before burial at Ipswich Old Cemetery.

In 1893, at Ipswich, William’s widowed father, William Fox Bird, married Florence Ellen Curtis, born September 1862, Bredfield, Suffolk. William and Florence had one daughter, Florence May Bird, born on St. Valentine’s Day, 1895, at 2, Baker Street, Ipswich.

William’s father, William Fox Bird, died on the 4^th June 1906, Ipswich and was buried in Section HH at Ipswich Old Cemetery.

Soldiers’ Effects to Lizzie Bird & Ellen Brooks – sisters.

William is also remembered on the war memorial under Transport at the Town Hall, Ipswich and the war memorial at St. Clement’s Church, Ipswich.

York & Lancaster Regiment, 2nd Battalion: